Team of Five audiobook

In spite of having read the biographies or memoirs of all the five presidents and their wives, I found this book most interesting.The book is well written and researched. The author conducted interviews with all the parties involved. The majority of information was about their post presidential lives and their relationships with each other. I felt there was some bias against President Trump, but I felt the author went out of her way to point out positives about Trump and in particular his positive relationships with White House servants and his grandchildren. Brower points out that in an interview Trump stated he will not be a part of the “President Club” as his role is to be a different type of president. Brower pointed out that none of the prior presidents have broken the rule to speak out against a sitting president. I noted the excellent relationship between the Bush, Clinton and Obama families, but the Carters were on the outside. Brower spent some time with the Carters and their humanitarian work with their foundation. Brower covers which president asked prior presidents to help out and how they did their jobs. If you have never read about these presidents, this is a good overview of them and how they have risen above politics. Overall, an excellent read.I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. The book is nine hours and fifty minutes. Erin Bennett does an excellent job narrating the book. Bennett is an actress and voice-over artist. She has won many Earphone Awards and has been nominated for the Audie Award.

Audiobook... narrated by ErinBennett Jimmy Carter, the late George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama—“became members of the world’s most exclusive fraternity”. These old farts unite.....( wish the rest of our country would take a lesson).I was moved & touched ...Sometimes funny, too! I enjoyed being-‘a-fly-on-the-wall’, audio-listener. This book was just what I hoped for - personal, interesting. It’s a great antidote to our current events. God bless us...May we please see peace on our streets!!!

This was a fun read! I didn't think it would be, but I enjoyed it.The author covered the relationships between these five men, as well as the oil and water aspect that has existed (and may still) between some of them, and how for most the relationships changed after they left office. Also discussed was the non-relationship they have (and are surprised, because it has been traditional for a relationship to continue to float between former and current POTUS(es?) with the current office holder. Anyway, the focus is on the formers and their families.Overall, the book gave me a feeling of comfort, because I'd like our formers to play well together. We've invested a helluva lot of money in them and their families, and they have such a unique information and data set in their heads, hearts and spirits. They can truly be agents for positive change in our country and others. All have the potential to be ambassadors of goodwill, of warning, of encouragement, of motivation, and for the most part, this book shows they are mostly striving in that direction. Of course, there is always the other side of the coin and I am grateful the author doesn't spend a lot of time on that - we are quickly helped to that side of anyone's profile with one click of the mouse.That's about all I'm willing to lay out there, since feelings are high these days. I enjoyed this book, it helped me rein back the dark clouds, wicked bats and actual loss of senses. 4 stars, for team spirit. VOTE! Make your choice based on what is most important to you. It really matters.

Kate Andersen Brower, author of “Team of Five: The Presidents’ Club in the Age of Trump”, has written one of the best books on America and our politics I’ve read in the past four years. She begins by introducing the reader to the So-called “Presidents’ Club”, a loose fraternity of America’s living former presidents, who have become friends and admirers of each other after they leave office. And this affinity transcends political party; both Bill Clinton and Barack Obama are best pals with the late Bush 41 and son Bush 43. Jimmy Carter seems to be the same wild card he was while in office. A fabulous picture taken during Obama’s term shows the four men -the Bushes, Clinton, and Obama - standing together, laughing, while a half smiling Carter stands a bit off, not really part of that famous “in group”. But where does Donald Trump fit into this “fraternity”?Brower’s book is not written with malice about our current president and his position in the ex-presidents’ group. She interviewed him a few times along with her other interviews of former presidents, but I think she believes he does not want to be in the world’s most exclusive club. He shows little regard for those men who came before and has stated that he will not use, or even ask for advice from those have gone before him. He’s out of the club before was even asked to be in it.The job of President of the US is an extremely tough job, and, as the former presidents point out, the one job the current office holder sometimes needs advice and solace from those who’ve gone before. Andersen Brower has written a superb book that any political junkie will adore.

An utterly fascinating look at the relationships between presidents and former presidents. I really enjoyed this look into the historical and current relationships. The author includes chapters on the first ladies and children as well. My history and poli sci loving mind inhaled this book -- and it's almost ten hours of audio.

The author focused on former Presidents : Jimmy Carter, George H. W. Bush (before his death), Bill Clinton, GeorgeW. Bush & Barak Obama. All members of the President's Club. Jimmy Carter seemed to be the least popular b/c he was perceived by the 4 others as a know-it-all & involved post-POTUS in foreign affairs w/o at times contacting theState Dept 1st. Author indicated ex-POTUS followed these unwritten rules 1) honor a shared history 2) respect the office and one another3) avoid criticizing a sitting POTUS at all costs 4) don't be too proud to ask for help 5) unite in tragedy & 6) come together for celebrations 7) treasure the White House & 8) give back 9) family comes 1st. She noted Ex-POTUS who clashed and eventually became friends IE Ford and Carter. And Ex-POTUS of opposing parties who fund raised for Katrina relief etc Geo. H. W. & Bill who grew to be a nearly father and son role. H.W. did not hold grudges, per the author. She also mentioned the POV of the First Ladies & singled out Laura Bush for her gracious ways. White House perm-anent staff ie butlers, florists, shared their observations. George W. received kudos for his HIV/ AIDS prevention wk in African countries & Jimmy for his work in innoculation programs in 3rd World Countries & conflict resolution and monitor function of free elections (via the Carter Center). The author mentioned that Trump relied briefly on Pres. Carter for expertise, but then mostly went it alone. She did not seem keen on Trump's confrontational approach. However the permanent WH staff reportedly saw a softer side of Trump.Read x 1.

Author Kate Andersen Brower examines the nature of the post-presidency with a specific focus on the four living ex-presidents (Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama), as well as George H. W. Bush who died in 2018 as this book was being prepared. Brower delves into the presidents’ relationships with each other and with the incumbent Donald Trump. Trump was interviewed for the book and freely admits that he doesn’t have much use for the ex-presidents and he doesn’t expect to be in touch with them after leaving office. Much of the book comes from previously published sources, but Brower’s interviews with Trump, Jimmy Carter, presidential family members, and former members of several administrations generate fascinating stories about what happens when presidents collide or cooperate.

An interesting book.Lots of history and interesting facts.Considering the current stage in American election, now was the best time to read this book.Well written, great!

5 Stars!!!This was a much more intimate peek at our former presidents than we typically know. It's fascinating to learn about them as humans and about their relationships with others. To me, that's something equally important as their leadership and politics.

In her latest political work, TEAM OF FIVE, Kate Andersen Brower identifies several areas of presidential life that occur in all tenures of the five men on this team. After the death of George H. W. Bush in 2018, four remain in the exclusive Presidents Club: Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama. The book crisscrosses their lives and experiences against the backdrop of our current president, Donald Trump, and his self-created loner status.Brower begins an exploration of the Team of Five with a Trump interview in the Oval Office in the spring of 2019, a meeting that was surprisingly easy to arrange. She describes as “surreal” one moment in particular: the accidental showing of a top-secret letter from North Korean president Kim Jong-un. The document was handed to her along with a typed list of things he has accomplished while in office. He asked her more than once what she was writing. In her last questions, Brower asked if being president gave him more empathy and understanding for the men who served before him. “No, not really” was his reply.There are 11 chapters, each one illuminating an aspect of how the Presidents Club functions, and Brower contrasts Trump’s actions and statements with those of his predecessors. In “The Unwritten Rules of the Club,” she explains a relatively new tradition that began with Ronald Reagan for the outgoing president to leave a letter in the top drawer of the Resolute desk for the incoming president. She included lines from several, and writes that the new president has always kept the letter private while in office. It was meant to be used as a buoy representing his predecessor’s support and good wishes.After eight months, however, Trump revealed the handwritten note left by Obama and even showed it to White House visitors. He called it “long” and “complex,” and thought it must have taken him quite a while to write. In his letter, Obama includes a request to Trump to be kind, something not found in other correspondences between presidents. He said, “We’ve both been blessed…. Not everyone is so lucky.” He then wishes Trump and Melania good luck and offers to help him in any way. By showing this message of promise to others so cavalierly, Trump broke an unwritten rule, perhaps seemingly minor, but one that provoked annoyance and added fuel to Trump’s “flamethrowing” reputation.In “Unexpected Friendships,” Brower focuses on connections made between some of the men after they leave office. Of course, some rifts and harsh words are never forgotten. Richard Nixon was famously trying to rewrite history until the last days of his life, and never forgave the enemies he created during his career. However, Bill Clinton and George H. W. Bush developed a loving relationship despite their political polarities, in large part because of George W. Bush. He paired up his dad and Clinton to do humanitarian work together, and the two clicked. Clinton admired Bush’s patrician manner and ease of wisdom and humor; Barbara Bush especially liked Clinton’s saxophone-playing celebrity and style. This deep appreciation of one another gave both much pleasure.Speculating for future days, Brower asks Trump if he foresees a friendship rekindling with Clinton. As background, both Hillary and Bill Clinton attended Trump and Melania’s wedding several years ago, and the two men had golfed together and been part of the New York City social scene. Trump said it would not be likely. This reaction underscores his breaking with the protocol of the Presidents Club, acknowledging that he said and did things to both Clintons that could not be forgotten.Other chapters are equally rich and interesting. “First Ladies Circle” introduces the strong women who are married to ambitious men, and how they welcomed the incoming First Lady and helped her assimilate into the White House culture. Each woman created a family home maintaining privacy in very different ways, and Melania is doing so as well.How each president handled the change (or release!) from being the most powerful man in the world to ordinary citizen is detailed in the chapter “Hangover.” There are huge differences in the transitions, of course, and Brower effectively uses her multiple interviews and resources to show the background stories and the expectations. It was easier for some than others.Putting together the many pieces of each man’s words and actions from the separate chapters and reconstructing them into a full character was rewarding. As one example, Jimmy Carter has become a productive, inspirational leader in the almost 40 years since he left 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue in deep despair over the Iranian hostage situation. Through deep reflection and hard work, he and Rosalynn, his wife of 74 years, have devoted their lives to improving America. He was the outsider to Washington in the 1970s and in many ways is still an outlier: he has been critical of a sitting president (another of the unwritten rules) and done other negative things. However, Brower believes that public opinion has softened toward him.There are no breaking-news kinds of stories here. After all, the presidents’ foibles and successes have been documented in every conceivable way throughout their tenure in office, and we already should be aware of many pieces of our history. The joy of TEAM OF FIVE comes in Brower making connections among these five men and showing that their love for America was greater than their personal differences. The sadness for the country comes in the current president’s almost-certain exclusion. Brower asks Trump how he will fit into this group, and he shakes his head. “I don’t think I fit very well.”Reviewed by Jane Krebs

What A Great Book!I don’t know what took me me so long to read this book. It’s wonderful. The kindness and love is so touching. The story on how presidents and First Ladies care for each other and the country is very important

Book Review — “Team of Five: The Presidents Club in the Age of Trump” by Kate Andersen Brower (2020, @harperbooks)Swipe to see a few infographics I put together which sum up some the major themes I saw in the book, as well as the main points of contention (the “rules” of the “Presidents Club”).My summary ➡️ This book is about the way the Presidency impacts the people in office, both during and after their term(s). While the focus is chiefly on the “Team of Five” former POTUS alive when Trump took office, the author also makes comparisons to presidents further in the past. Thus, several overarching themes emerge from the main “rules” outlined by the author. I identified them on the slides. Essentially, this book explores each area briefly and gives examples, some of which come from interviews, observations, and historical data.Review ➡️ This book is consumable. It’s written in sections dedicated to each of the 5 underneath a broader category, for example, how the POTUS dealt with leaving office. One major takeaway I gained from reading this book was the friendships made between POTUS and their staff, POTUS and other POTUS, and First Ladies. It was interesting to read about the Bushes + Clinton’s, and how the Carter’s didn’t really fit in the mold, as well as how the Obama’s felt about stepping into the role.An additional recurring theme is how these presidents interact “in the age of Trump”. You’ll notice that Trump isn’t on the cover here. He wasn’t a former President at the time of the picture, but the question in the background of this book is, “How will Trump fit into this historic club of interrelated people? And will he even bother?”I believe this book did not have much political bias. It presents a mostly romantic version of the friendships between Presidents, but it definitely does mention the frustration and animosity when relevant. It isn’t really about politics or mind numbing protocol; rather, it’s about the personal experiences. I took a quote from the beginning (next slide) which sums up really the point of this whole book: it’s about shared experiences and personal impacts of the Presidency.Highly recommended. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5 stars.

What a great book!

It's totally informal and the all-important rules are unwritten, but there is no more powerful or prestigious club on Earth than the "Presidents Club," one whose members all previously served in the Oval Office. Perhaps, the most important of those unwritten rules is not to publicly criticize other presidents, past or current. The club itself is based on the premise that only those who have served as president fully comprehend how lonely and terrifying it is to hold such great responsibility. And so no matter the political party, the men who have come before feel morally obligated to offer each other their absolute support and respect. And now that has changed—dramatically and with great rancor—with the presidency of Donald J. Trump.This highly readable and absolutely captivating book by presidential expert Kate Andersen Brower spills some of the secrets of the Presidents Club, including all the unwritten rules, as well as dishing on the most unlikely but truly genuine friendships that formed post-presidency across party lines: Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter; Bill Clinton and George H.W. Bush; and George W. Bush and Michelle Obama. Find out what it was like for each president and his family since Richard Nixon to leave the White House, how they spend their time after their terms end, and their hopes for our country in the age of Trump.Perhaps most shockingly, the book reveals how the four living former presidents are interacting with Trump and they with him. To put it bluntly: For the first time in recent history, the current president has basically shunned his predecessors. He has not sought their advice, assistance, or help. Instead, he posts denigrating, meanspirited messages about them on social media. And what do those in this most rarefied of clubs think of Trump? Brower offers the inside scoop on what each living former president privately thinks of No. 45—and it's fascinating!This is the rarest of nonfiction books: It's a real page turner!

This is a book about the former presidents. It is mainly about the five most recent presidents: Jimmy Carter, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama. Oh, and President Trump. The author writes about the presidents' experiences as they change from being in the spotlight to becoming a private citizen again. She talks about unwritten rules of the club, such as not badmouthing the current president, despite the temptations, and coming together in times of national tragedy such as 09/11. She also writes about the joys of unexpected friendships between George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton and that of Michelle Obama and George W. Bush. I really enjoyed this book. I thought it was interesting to see what happened when the Obamas left after the inauguration of President Trump, for example. She also writes about some of the other presidents, though very fleetingly such as Ronald Reagan, Richard Nixon, and Lyndon Johnson. It was intriguing to see how the presidents came together, despite party affiliation, to respond to some of Trump's actions such as the separation of immigrants from their children. Also it was thought-provoking to read how former presidents travel overseas to visit countries, not just because they want to, but because a sitting president has asked them to do some diplomacy work for them. I had no idea that was how it worked. Also there was a small tidbit tucked aside about President Obama and Vice President Biden near the end of the book that was probably meaningless before the 2020 election. The tidbit was about Russian intelligence and the 2016 election. Now going into the 202o election, that tidbit of information is suddenly very valuable stuff. Anyway, I won't spoil the book, but suffice it to say that this was really interesting and neither boring nor dull.